"We're going in together? You mean all of us? Did he pass too?" Evan Chu reacted instantly, pointing at Gus Bullard.
"That's right. You're quick on the uptake, kid. With talent like his, how could Heavenly Dragon Academy possibly reject him? I'm here to tell you all that he's passed."
The five of them stood there like they'd been struck by lightning, frozen in shock.
Suddenly, Gus Bullard shouted, "Did you hear that? I passed! I can enter Heavenly Dragon Academy!
Is this really happening? This burst of happiness is just overwhelming—man, my heart can't take it! Haha, we get to stick together after all!
The gloom on his face vanished instantly, replaced by pure joy.
"Congrats, congrats! Old Bull, you really are lucky. I never thought you'd make it—this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!" Lily Tang laughed, watching Gus Bullard jump for joy.
"Old Bull? When did I get that nickname?" Gus Bullard asked, puzzled.
"Since the day you were born! Come on, let's go, or they'll drag us off to plow the fields!" Evan Chu laughed as well.
Evan Chu had wanted to check out Xue Jinshan's test, but right now he couldn't slip away. Still, with Xue's strength, he was sure he'd make it, so he wasn't worried.
As soon as the five entered Heavenly Dragon Academy, someone came to lead them. "Please follow me for registration. When you fill out your identity information, you must be truthful—don't forget!"
Soon, Evan Chu and the others arrived at a spacious hall. There were already quite a few people inside—everyone who'd passed the test. All the new students were whispering to each other, making the atmosphere lively.
Just then, an elderly man with white hair walked in from outside the hall. After glancing at the gathered new students, he said:
"All of you, put away your pride. Once you enter Heavenly Dragon Academy, you're just ordinary students. If your grades are good, you might get into the elite class.
But let me be clear: your chances of getting into the elite class aren't high."
The elder swept his gaze around the hall, then walked to the front and sat down on a chair.
"Maybe some of you aren't convinced. You think you have potential, that you'll definitely make it into the elite class someday. If so, you're mistaken."
"Heavenly Dragon Academy has existed for centuries, recruiting students every three years. Every three years, some graduate. Graduation is simple: once you reach sixth-level Earth Martial Realm, you can choose to leave the academy."
Seeing everyone quiet down, the elder paused, then finally got to the main point: "Let me tell you, the number of students at Heavenly Dragon Academy has only ever increased. That means, in three years, at most a few dozen people graduate—sometimes even fewer."
Many people were skeptical at first, but when they saw the elder just smile silently, some started to realize what he meant.
Some people shut their mouths, while others showed either determination or fear.
Seeing the students' expressions, the elder seemed quite pleased. "A lot of you have already guessed the reason, haven't you? That's right—Heavenly Dragon Academy is a brutal place. The elimination rate is nearly ninety percent!
Of those who don't graduate, half are expelled for slacking off or failing their assigned missions.
Expelled students are punished severely—their cultivation is crippled, and they become lifelong cripples, unable to practice martial arts ever again."
"What about the other half?" someone asked bravely.
"The other half... Well, they think they can tough it out, but in the end, they can't. They end up staying in the academy forever."
"They died?"
Some of the slower students finally understood.
"That's right. In this academy, your number one priority is survival. If you can stay alive, then you can try for a spot in the elite class."
"Each year, about fifty remedial-class students move up to the ordinary class, but as for the ordinary class entering the elite class—sometimes there's not even one! At most, maybe three in a year! With odds like that, do you still think your chances are good?"
"So does that mean people with average talent have no hope?" a confused student asked. The harsh reality was terrifying—leave, and you'd be crippled for life; stay, and who knew when you'd graduate? Many people were starting to regret coming here.
"Don't lose heart. The academy's standards are strict, but the benefits are the best. Remedial-class students get one low-grade Starstone per month for cultivation.
Ordinary-class students get three low-grade Starstones. Elite-class students have it best—five low-grade Starstones plus one mid-grade Starstone.
You all know how precious Starstones are, right? Spirit Stones can't compare. A single low-grade Starstone is worth as much as a high-grade Spirit Stone!
Have confidence in yourselves. Maybe you'll be the next one to enter the elite class! Elite-class students can learn Mysterious-rank martial arts, and a few can even study Earth-rank techniques!"
Now almost everyone was fired up. Starstones are the dream of countless cultivators, and as for martial arts, just thinking about Mysterious-rank and Earth-rank techniques was enough to make people tremble.
Evan Chu barely knew anything about Starstones. In Flowing Cloud City, he'd hardly ever heard of them—he'd only just started using Spirit Stones. Listening to the elder, he realized just how narrow his world had been.
He glanced at Roxanne Lin and saw she looked just as confused—clearly, she'd never heard of Starstones either.
Luna, the Sword Spirit, saw right through Evan Chu's thoughts. "Starstones are simply stones containing stellar force. That's what makes them Starstones.
A low-grade Starstone holds enough stellar force for three to five days of absorption. The higher the grade, the more stellar force it contains.
Though high-level cultivators can convert Spirit Stone energy into stellar force, the process is slow—a high-grade Spirit Stone only yields enough stellar force for one day's absorption. The difference is obvious."
After hearing Luna's explanation, Evan Chu felt a surge of excitement. Ordinary-class students could get three low-grade Starstones a month. As long as he improved quickly, entering the elite class shouldn't be too hard.
Once he broke through to sixth-level Xuanwu Realm, he could immediately form an Earth Star Core, and his strength would rise again.
After everyone finished filling out their information, a few more people entered the hall. Evan Chu saw that they all wore small golden swords on their chests, and he understood their strength.
What surprised him was that one of them was a woman, who looked no older than twenty-five.
"Welcome, students! We're glad to have you join the Heavenly Dragon Academy family. Here, our academy will do everything to help you grow—so work hard!" said one of the golden sword-bearers.